Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is still one of the best looking MPV’s on the road. It features futuristic looks and offers further versatility, space and two additional seats over the C4 Picasso.

Performance

The C4 Grand Picasso offers the same diesel engine options as its smaller sibling. There is a choice of e-HDI and BlueHDi diesel engines. The e-HDI are a more frugal option and come with a choice of 90 or 115bhp options. The BlueHDi 150bhp is the most powerful option in the range offering great punch in the low end of the revs and is probably the best engine to have if you are likely to be fully loaded with passengers/kids/luggage a lot of the time. There is a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Ride & Handling

Being an MPV (or people carrier) the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is all about transporting people around in comfort with additional practicality and not about agility. That said, the steering is direct and it responds well to input. Grip is good in the corners too but being bigger than the C4 Picasso, body roll is even more evident. The 6-speed manual can feel quite notchy if you like to work the gears a lot so the automatic really is the option to go for here. If you’re looking for a more dynamic drive and enjoyment from your family MPV then the Ford S-Max is likely to be a better option.

Refinement

There are four trim levels to choose from in the C4 Grand Picasso. These are VTR, VTR+, Exclusive and Exclusive+. All models get the C4’s panoramic windscreen, air conditioning, 7 inch touch screen and electric windows as standard. Top of the range Exclusive will add items like a panoramic roof, keyless entry and a 12 inch touchscreen. Being a Citroen comfort is in its pedigree and the layout of the cabin is both stylish and welcoming. The seats feel big and comfortable with a very modern ambiance about the whole cabin.

Quality & Reliability

The Grand Picasso, like the C4 Picasso, has an upmarket MPV feel to it thanks to its bold futuristic interior and dashboard layout. It’s a clutter free streamlined design and the inset touchscreen mounted in the centre console adds to that quality feel. There is an extensive use of glass within the cabin particularly if you opt for the higher spec Exclusive trim. Visibility is great from nearly all angles of the car. Thanks to its clever styling, the sheers size of the Grand Picasso is masked by large amount of glass and a clever design. The optional 18 inch wheels enhance its appearance further.

Safety & Security

The C4 Grand Picasso is a very safe car achieving a 5 star Euro NCAP rating for crash testing. It gets 6 airbags as standard, electronic speed control and a speed limiter. While additional safety tech is available as optional extra or packages on the Picasso, the Exclusive trim models do get adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and a blind spot monitor. You can even specify surround-view camera if you wish to pay more.

Space & Practicality

Space and practicality is what the C4 Grand Picasso is all about and its clever design means it feels just as spacious and airy in the very most rear seats that it does in the front. One of the real selling points is that it can accommodate three ISO-FIX child seats in the rear. The rear bench can also slide back and forward to create more legroom or additional boot space and as it also has a flat floor in the rear, there’s plenty of legroom for centre seated adults. Boot space is an excellent 793 litres sliding the rear bench forward. The boot lid creates a massive opening too with a low boot lid for easy loading. The Grand Picasso’s unique selling point is a third row of eats for an additional two passengers. Space is generous all the way back there too with roof mounted air-vents, climate buttons and cup holders.